Esmée Denters is undoubtedly on her way to musical stardom, with her debut album filled with songs she co-wrote with a host of top-notch hit-making producers. Esmée is one of the first artists signed to Justin Timberlake’s Interscope imprint Tennman Records, but a mere two years ago, this Dutch 20-year-old was just a pancake house waitress with a webcam and a dream.

We sat down with the surprisingly humble Esmée to alk about her meteoric rise and her future.

SHAKEFIRE: How does it feel to have Justin Timberlake not only signing you on his label, but also working with you on your album?
ESMEE DENTERS: Good, it’s been great.  He has really been like a mentor to me and you know who else could you learn more from than Justin Timberlake?

SF: You were discovered from the videos you posted on YouTube covering other artist’s songs.  Will there be any covers on your album?
ED: No, there is only one song that is a bonus, which is called “I Three,” which is a bit of a cover.  You know I started out doing covers, but on this album I’ve been writing a lot myself and I’ve been able to work with great producers and songwriters, so it will be original songs.

SF: After only six months of having your videos online you were sought out by Justin.  Were you prepared for how fast things went?
ED: I definitely wasn’t prepared because I didn’t know what was going to happen, so it kind of caught me off guard in the beginning definitely when I heard that Justin wanted to meet me, but he is a great guy and he really made me feel comfortable and you know I really feel happy with the decision I made and I’m really excited about the record that is coming out and I can’t wait to hear… you know for people to hear it.

SF: Was it difficult for you to believe at first?  Did you think it was some kind of a prank or something?
ED: Yeah, definitely when I started on YouTube and when I received all these emails from record companies I really thought you know this can’t be happening, this is just people on Internet pretending to be somebody.  You know everybody can be somebody on the Internet, so it was really like you know weird to me, especially when I heard that the thing like Oprah was going to happen or I was going to meet Justin.  It was really surreal for me because both things… That is what you dream of and then when it actually comes true it’s like you have to pinch yourself.

SF: Was it not until you were actually in their company that it fully hit you what was happening?
ED: Yeah, definitely.  You can tell somebody that they’re about to meet Oprah or Justin, but it is really until you actually see that person that it feels real to you and that is really when it hits you.  It’s really like Oh, wow.  He is standing right in front of me right now.  What is he thinking?  That’s really how you feel at that moment.

SF: Once you’re actually in the studio recording your album, were you surprised at how much went into recording?
ED: Yeah, I think a lot of times when you turn on the TV and you see a great song that you don’t know how much work goes into it.  Of course you kind of figure that somebody writes the song and produces it and there is a lot of work put into it, but you don’t know that some producers may start working at 2:00 in the morning and you get finished doing a song maybe at 9 (at night).  Really it’s really crazy and until you’re in it it’s like it’s really an art to write a song and to create a song and it’s really about being creative and it has really. . . The studio has really become a home for me and I really enjoy being able to write and being able to work with the people I get to work with.

SF: Was the process at all frustrating for you at any times?
ED: Yeah, sometimes because a lot of the stuff that you write about is very personal and sometimes a producer or a writer can challenge you, but at the end of the day it is better to be challenged than to be in your comfort zone because it always makes the song better at the end of the day.

SF: Going back to the YouTube videos I saw that you’re still adding videos, behind the scenes things and even in the studio.  Is that something that you plan on keeping up with; keeping in close touch with your fans and giving them a peek behind the scenes?
ED: Yeah, definitely.  We’re always taping stuff and I’m always Twittering.  I think it’s very important to keep in touch with the people that kind of made me who I am.  If it wasn’t for them then I wouldn’t be able to have met Justin.  I wouldn’t have been signed.  I wouldn’t have gotten all the attention that I got, so I really… You know that’s the least that I could do for them is keep them updated and it is also a lot of fun for me to keep doing that.

SF: I saw that in one of the videos you were working with LaurieAnn Gibson.  Was this your first experience with dance training or were you already familiar with it?
ED: Well I’ve always been dancing my entire life, but I stopped when I was about 13 because I did a lot of classical ballet and a lot of different styles of dancing, but to be able to work with LaurieAnn was also someone who I really, really respect and she really brings the best out of you and it’s been an amazing experience working with her and she really kind of takes your moves and brings it to another level.

SF: Were you having to go through any vocal training or anything or were you just able to just go right into the studio and start recording?
ED: Well at the beginning I was just really recording and writing and then of course to be on tour you have to sing every single day and sometimes more than once a day, so you really have to keep your voice healthy and that’s why I have a really good vocal trainer.  His name is Dave Stroud and I have vocal training with him and he really gives me advice on what to do and what to do on tour.

SF: I noticed that there is also not a whole of accent in your voice.  Is English a second language for you?
ED: Yes, it is.  I’m from Holland, so that’s my first language.

SF: How long have you been speaking English?
ED: You know you learn in school when you’re about… You start learning it when you’re about 13 and then a lot of the TV in Holland is actually English American with subtitles, so that is kind of how you learn.  And then I always wanted to know what lyrics meant of songs, so that was also probably the reason why I was so interested.

SF: Any advice for those out there that are wanting to get into the music industry?
ED: Yeah, definitely.  I think just be yourself and don’t be afraid to who your talent.  I think there (are) a lot of people that might judge you, but you know if you love doing what you do then you should just put yourself out there and trying every possible way you can to reach your goals and you know just look at my story and see that everything is possible.

With additional reporting by Pandora.